Bible Discussion Thread

 
  • Bev L on Psalms 23 - 3 years ago
    I just want a bit of insight regarding Psalms 23: 5---the table part. ("Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies"). I assume that it means that God even "feeds us" when there is danger about? BUT...I'm not sure.

    Thank you!

    Bev
  • Peter Watson - In Reply on Psalms 23 - 3 years ago
    Psalm 23:5 "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over."

    Bev, you are quite right to question the meaning of words, seemingly innocuous in the Bible. Many words are used symbolically to protect their meaning from mistranslation, modernising or misunderstanding.

    The 'table' as used in the Psalm describes a clear level-of-consciousness. John in his Revelation calls it: "a sea of glass, clear as crystal" -- which is safe from trespass and misuse. Oil is a symbol of love, and the 'cup' is our 'capacity-of-consciousness', not to be confused with the 'content-of-consciousness', which has been stuffed with images and superstitious beliefs that hinder, or block, the spontaneous flow of truth, which the mind is designed to process.

    We have the same table-symbol, used in the Temple-of-the-Lord scene, in which the money-lenders were abusing the purpose-of-life. By, 'turning the tables', Jesus was not having a human-nature fit of self-righteousness, but clearing the tables of false values. The Temple, our triune human capacity, is designed to focus our earthly interface with God's heavenly truth-of-love.

    I trust this helps; I've enjoyed the meditation, Peter.
  • Sacha - In Reply on Psalms 23 - 3 years ago
    Its about Jesus ,there are tons of references to Jesus in the old testament ,its a real joy to read them and discover how the old and new testaments are linked .
  • Bev L - In Reply on Psalms 23 - 3 years ago
    Thank you, Sasha! I'll have to look for the links! We know that He has always existed, so it would make sense that He would be in EVERYTHING!
  • Chris - In Reply on Psalms 23 - 3 years ago
    Your understanding of this verse is quite correct. The whole Psalm by David is a recollection of his earlier life as a shepherd when he once cared rigorously for his sheep, but now he sees himself as that sheep being cared for by his Great Shepherd.

    So, I see verse 5 as a probable continuation of verse 4: when by even walking through those valleys in life that give him no light, no joy, a sense of despair & hopelessness, with even the fear of death pervading in its shadows, the Lord, his Shepherd, had not left him. Even if his enemies surrounded him or entrapped him in that valley of hopelessness & fear, God would still provide bountifully for him in every way (in such abundance, that he likened this to a feast at a celebration, where the table was full of food, he would be anointed or refreshed, as a special guest in those days would be, & there would be no shortage in food or drink). Such was David's God & his utter reliance upon Him to sustain him & deliver him, no matter the circumstance.

    And to think, that David's God is our God as well & God hasn't changed or diminished in His Love. And even more so, we as His blood-bought children, made heirs of His Kingdom, enjoying the fruits of our salvation & all that Heaven provides us, both now & into eternity.
  • Bev L - In Reply on Psalms 23 - 3 years ago
    Thank you, so much! I was worried that there might be some meaning about which I know nothing. I've only been Yahvah's true child for about 6 years (and I'm OLD), so I am Young in the Word. I keep digging and loving it more and more the deeper I dig! Thank you for sharing! He IS amazing!! --Bev



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